Bus drivers staffing shortage will likely delay the start of the school year

Rochester, New York – During a special meeting Friday, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Meyers-Small laid out her proposal to the School Board and members of the community.

According to the superintendent’s proposal, students in grades K through 8 should be back in the classroom next week. Students in grades 9 through 12 would be forced to begin the year remotely.

This proposal comes after the district announced they did not have enough bus drivers for the more than 31,000 students who rely on district transportation.

The three companies contracted to transport students, First Student, Regional Transit Service, and Monroe School Transportation are 78 drivers short, according to the district.

When asked about the staffing issues, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said “I know our superintendent is working very hard to make sure our students get the support that they need and the education that they deserve and I know they’re working with RGRTA as well because they do some of the transportation for the high school students.”

The superintendent’s plan was met with criticism from the crowd. “We have to get out into the world and we have to be prepared for that,” said Y’sland Seymore. The School of the Arts student added she “can’t possibly be put out into this world and expected to do great things – and expected to succeed if we cannot succeed now.”

The teachers who have been preparing all summer to get ready for in-person learning also complain. “The trauma of this continuation of them not being in the classroom. I just can’t imagine what that’s going to do for our students now and in the future. It’s going to affect them forever,” said RCSD teacher Rakia Hardaway.

According to Dr. Meyers-Small, she had every intention to bring all students back full-time until she learned of the shortage, but it will more than likely include a delayed start to the year. “My goal, going back with my team is to sure up exactly when we can start school in person with all of our scholars,” said Dr. Meyers-Small. “When you don’t have enough drivers and you don’t have all of the runs covered, how do we figure out how to do this together? It’s my expectation, it’s my hope, with my plea – and lots of folks were texting me and emailing me during the board meeting – community partners said ‘Leslie, we are with you and we’re going to do whatever we can to make it happen sooner rather than later.”